Jean Coppola, professor at Paces Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems will be actively involved in the project. Photo Credit: ContributedLin Drury, associate professor at Pace University's Lienhard School of Nursing, is a part of the team who spearheaded the project and is excited for its next stages. Photo Credit: ContributedSharon Wexler, nursing professor of the College of Health Professions at Pace University, is very excited to bring the cutting-edge technology to patients.Photo Credit: Contributed

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- GeriJoy, a leading provider of avatar-based elder care services, and Pace University have been awarded a $100,000 grant from Pilot Health Tech NYC to introduce virtual senior care companions to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital.

GeriJoy provides virtual care services through the GeriJoy Companion, which appears as a lovable dog or cat in a specially configured tablet device, available to an elderly person round the clock. The pet talks with the older adult about topics including family photos, news and daily routines. The GeriJoy Companion reports back to caregivers to provide increased clinical insight and awareness of the patient’s condition.

"We are honored to have been chosen by NYCEDC, Health 2.0, and their panel of experts for this award, and we are thankful for our continued partnership with the outstanding team at Pace," said GeriJoy CEO Victor Wang.

“This simple to use avatar-based technology is a one-of-a-kind 24/7 companion to older adults, especially successful for dementia and delirium patients as we found in our beta pilot studies,” said Professor Jean Coppola of Pace’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
"GeriJoy has proven itself to have a major impact on quality of life for older adults," said nursing professor Sharon Wexler of the College of Health Professions at Pace. "We are very excited to bring this cutting edge technology to older adults hospitalized at Mount Sinai Queens."

“Victor Wang, whose genius created the GeriJoy, has been listening to our feedback and continuously improving upon his amazingly creative and insightful technology which uses a tablet computer to connect isolated older adults with live human responders 24/7,” said nursing professor Lin Drury of Pace's College of Health Professions.

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